Mr Jenrick told a press conference in London: “If you give us your details on that website, in the next week or two, we’re going to draw one of those names, and Nigel [Farage] is going to come to your house and he’s going to pay your energy bills and those of everyone who lives on your street for an entire year.”

When the British summertime serves up dazzling sunshine, there’s no better pastime than relaxing in the garden on some outdoor furniture with a chilled drink in hand. A parasol will shield you from the glare and is essential for alfresco dining in the midday sun.

There are offerings from homeware retailers for simple and static upright styles costing less than £100 to cantilevered canopies costing close to four figures which come with speakers and LED lights to make those sundowners truly memorable.

Not to mention their varied look and feel: simple designs will blend seamlessly into a garden, whereas a design-led style will add to the feeling of escaping elsewhere. Our FAQ section at the bottom of the page answers any questions you might have.

Ultimately, you want a well-made model that will see you through many balmy seasons to come. After testing a batch of popular designs from Ikea, Dunelm, Kettler and other leading brands, these are our best buys in a quick list.

The best garden parasols: At a glance

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How to choose the best garden parasol

Space and portability are some of the main things to consider when choosing a parasol for your outdoor space. A nine-foot-tall leanover requires a sizeable base and is difficult to carry around. Unlike normal parasols, cantilever styles allow you to stretch the umbrella away from its stand, over the area of your choice, which means more space to move around underneath. 

Storage is also key: can your garage house a giant structure come winter? Although upright styles will need to be inserted in a dining table’s hole to provide cover, once taken apart they are usually no taller than waist-height and can be tucked away in the corner of a shed.

Beyond shade, most canopy fabrics offer additional sun protection thanks to their UV protective coating. Prioritise a parasol with a high Ultraviolet Protectin Factor (UPF) for sun safety.

How we test garden parasols

Jason Byers from Malafolla Ltd has applied for a new premises license for Gran Taberna, located at 88 Skinnergate, Darlington, DL3 7LX.

The general description on the application says: “It would include serving a range of beers, wines, spirits, vermouths and hot and cold tapas and Spanish dishes.

“With one bar, open plan kitchen, men’s, women’s and disabled WC. Both indoor seating and pavement license (if permitted).”

The application also includes making disabled access via a door and ramp to combat the stepped entrance, with one side totally glazed and south facing.

New signs appear on 5 Blackwellgate (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

The proposed licence would permit the sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises seven days a week.

The application is also applying for live indoor music from Thursday – Saturday between 3-11.30pm and Sunday from 3-11pm.

Applications have also been made for recorded music indoors and outdoors and performance of dance.

Made under the Licensing Act 2003, the premises license has applied to start on May 1, 2026.

It comes after the corner unit was spotted last week boarded up with brown paper, with a handwritten sign in Spanish reading “Vamos a Ver”, which translates as “let’s see”.

New signs appear on 5 Blackwellgate (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Pictures show brown sheets covering the windows as renovation work takes place inside.

The building previously housed Newcastle Building Society until 2017, before the branch moved to Horse Market on the high street.

Members of the public have until April 3 to submit comments or objections in writing to Darlington Borough Council via www.darlington.gov.uk.

Andrew Lawrenson, head of Latin at Dame Allan’s Schools, is an accomplished player and maker of the Northumbrian smallpipes – England’s only native bagpipes with an unbroken playing tradition.

Originally from Scotland, Mr Lawrenson began learning the instrument after discovering a set of pipes belonging to his father.

Mr Lawrenson said: “It’s about immersion.

“Taking the time to understand a different system – whether that’s an ancient language or a traditional instrument -and learning to think with care and precision.”

Unlike the better-known Highland bagpipes, the Northumbrian smallpipes are bellows-blown rather than mouth-blown, producing a quieter, sweeter sound suited to indoor performance.

In addition to playing, Mr Lawrenson has taught himself the complex craft of making the pipes—a process involving woodwork, metalwork, and reed-making.

He now plays a set he built himself.

He said: “It’s intimidating, but I like understanding how things work.”

Mr Lawrenson is active within the Northumbrian piping community, serving as a committee member of the Northumbrian Pipers’ Society and is listed as a repairer and reed-maker.

He has also been invited to serve as deputy piper to the Duke of Northumberland, a ceremonial role with more than 200 years of history.

As deputy piper, he performs at Alnwick Castle and other official events.

At Dame Allan’s, Mr Lawrenson runs a co-curricular piping club where around six pupils are learning the instrument.

He describes Latin and piping as being more closely linked than they might appear.

Mr Lawrenson said: “You step into a society with very different values, one where slavery and capital punishment were the norm.”

That distance encourages pupils to reflect critically on their own world while developing sophisticated language skills, analytical thinking and close reading—qualities that translate well beyond the classroom.

He studied English Literature and Latin at Newcastle University, later training as a teacher in Glasgow.

His career has taken him to teaching positions in Aberdeen, St Andrews, and Hexham before he joined Dame Allan’s, where he is now in his third year as head of Latin.

Mr Lawrenson first became interested in Northumbrian piping during a resurgence, with a new generation of players – including Kathryn Tickell -recording and performing.

He began learning seriously under the guidance of experienced musicians, including Patricia Jennings, later Chair of the Northumbrian Pipers’ Society, and developed his skills through a mix of learning by ear, mentoring, and competition.

One pupil, Savile, has shown strong musical instincts and quick progress.

A woman has shared how she managed to travel the world without spending a single penny – and she is sharing her favourite things about the life-changing experience

In an ideal world, everyone would be able to live out their dreams without worrying about the costs involved. But while most of us work to earn a living, one woman has revealed how she has managed to travel the world without spending a penny.

Sarah, known on social media as @sarahmonaco99, explained how she achieved this lifestyle – revealing that her “entire salary is 100 per cent disposable income. No rent. No food. No bills.” She shared that she lives and works on a yacht, where “everything onboard is covered”.

She said: “Accommodation, three meals a day, toiletries, travel to and from the boat – I have not paid a single living expense in two years. My first full season, I saved enough to put a deposit on an apartment. I was 24. My friends doing 9-5s are still saving. I’m not saying this to brag – I genuinely couldn’t believe it was real.”

Explaining how she got into the industry, she added: “Most people find their first season through Yotspot, Bluewater, or Saltwater Agency. No experience needed for entry-level roles. Just show up willing to work hard.”

Commenting on her post, one user said: “If I didn’t have a cat, I would so do this.”

Others were curious about the reality of the job, asking questions about working hours and expectations onboard, with one user writing: “Are you obligated to party with guests?”

In another post, Sarah shared some of the wild experiences she’s had while working on yachts, including gifts and behaviour from ultra-wealthy guests.

She said: “Rating the most unbelievable things billionaire guests did on our yacht…”

Giving the first example an 11/10, she said: “Moved the boat at midnight because the stars weren’t ‘visible enough’. Woke the captain at 12am. We sailed for two hours. The stars were the same.”

She rated another moment 10/10, adding: “Ordered £4,000 worth of groceries for a five-day charter – Wagyu beef, fresh truffles, three types of caviar. Ate none of it. Left it all on the boat when they disembarked. We ate like royalty for a week.”

She also revealed that the crew were tipped £11,000 by one millionaire because they “seemed like they needed it”.

Finally, she recalled one guest complaining that the Mediterranean Sea was “too blue” and asking if they could find somewhere with a “more interesting” water colour.

In the comments, users shared their amazement at the lifestyles of the ultra-rich, with many wishing they could experience that level of luxury.

One user said: “Those drinks look good.” Another added: “How do I get this job?”

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Brighton should have been awarded a penalty in their 1-0 loss at home to Arsenal on 4 March, the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel has said.

The Seagulls were trailing to Bukayo Saka’s ninth-minute goal when they pushed forward in the third minute of first-half stoppage time.

After a cross was delivered from the left, Brighton midfielder Mats Wieffer tried to run into the box towards the flight of the ball but was hauled to the ground by Gabriel Martinelli.

Referee Chris Kavanagh allowed play to continue and it was cleared by the video assistant referee (VAR), Michael Salisbury.

Fabian Hurzeler complained to fourth official David Webb and the Brighton boss ended up exchanging words with Mikel Arteta on the touchline.

The Premier League Match Centre wrote on X that the VAR “deemed there was no clear and obvious error”.

But the KMI Panel voted 4:1 that a spot-kick should have been awarded on the field, and 3:2 that it was a missed VAR intervention.

The ruling said: “Martinelli is not looking at the ball, holds Weiffer into the area and prevents the Brighton player from challenging for the ball.”

It is the second time this season Arsenal have escaped a VAR penalty in an away game they have won 1-0.

In December, Everton should have been awarded a penalty for William Saliba’s challenge on Thierno Barry. The VAR was Michael Salisbury for that match, too.

There have now been 18 VAR errors logged this season, matching the total for the entire 2024-25 campaign.

From this same gameweek, Leeds United should have been given a penalty in their 1-0 loss at home to Sunderland for Luke O’Nien’s holding offence on Pascal Struijk.

The Gunners have had no VAR mistakes against them.

No one was seriously injured during the incident.

A crash which started a car fire and left the vehicle on its side saw emergency services called on Saturday, March 14. Cambridgeshire Police were called at around 2pm to a crash on Broadway in Bourn.

The vehicle that had crashed had set on fire. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue also attended.

A crew from Cambridge along with a south roaming fire engine were called but no firefighting action was required. No one was seriously injured during the incident.

A Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: “This was a road traffic collision on Broadway in Bourn on Saturday 14th. A crew from Cambridge along with the south roaming fire engine attended however no firefighting action was required.

“The crews made the area safe and returned to their stations by 3.30pm.”

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: “We were called at about 2pm to Broadway in Bourn with reports of a single vehicle collision which resulted in the car being on fire. No serious injuries.”

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Arsenal starlet Max Dowman became the Premier League’s youngest-ever goal scorer in a 2-0 win over Everton at the weekend

Mikel Arteta can draw lessons from Arsene Wenger’s mistakes in managing a developing Theo Walcott as he guides Max Dowman at Arsenal. The 16-year-old became the Premier League’s youngest-ever goalscorer at the weekend.

The Gunners’ Hale End academy seems to have unearthed another talent in Dowman, who made his first-team debut in 2025 and caught the eye earlier this month in an FA Cup fixture against Mansfield Town.

Arteta demonstrated confidence in the youngster on Saturday and introduced him as Arsenal chased the game versus Everton. Dowman didn’t let him down, with his 89th-minute delivery causing havoc and resulting in Viktor Gyokeres’ breakthrough. The icing on the cake arrived in stoppage time when he etched his name into the record books as the top flight’s youngest scorer.

An unavoidable excitement now envelops Dowman in circumstances reminiscent of Walcott’s breakthrough in 2006. Walcott earned a call-up to the England squad for that year’s World Cup following his displays, though Arteta can take lessons from this episode and keep Dowman grounded.

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Having only joined Arsenal in January 2006, a teenage Walcott, aged 17, was selected in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Three Lions squad for the World Cup in Germany that summer after demonstrating tremendous potential.

Walcott didn’t get a chance to play but has since confessed that the call-up was a blunder and he was swamped by attention. Speaking on The Overlap in 2023, he admitted: “Honestly, as a 17-year-old going to the World Cup for me, I should never have gone, I’ve said this.

“Essentially, you try telling a 17-year-old to go and say they’re not going to the World Cup for England, I wasn’t going to do that. I hadn’t asked for it but the manager saw something in me and in the end I didn’t play.”

When questioned if England or Wenger should have done more to protect him at such a tender age, Walcott responded: “Probably both I’d say, because I’d already played up an age for England, so I was already in the books of ‘Keep an eye on this kid,’ I suppose.

“I probably could’ve been protected in that sense. I knew Sven was coming into training and I didn’t think anything of it. Obviously, you’ve got Ashley [Cole] and Sol [Campbell].

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“Then I remember Arsene saying, ‘He’s going to watch you’ and I’m like ok, alright, just thinking for the future type of thing. Then suddenly, that happened, and my whole life changed.”

Following the 2-0 victory over Everton on Saturday, Arteta was asked if Dowman could make a last-minute entry into Thomas Tuchel’s squad for this year’s World Cup. His simple response was: “I don’t know. I haven’t heard that. But let’s go game by game, please.”

Evidently, Wenger’s inability to shield Walcott during his teenage years was a mistake. Arteta can heed this warning and has already begun to prevent a similar problem with Dowman by discouraging any England talk, which, it seems, would be the correct course of action.

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It announced on Tuesday when changes would be taking effect

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has today confirmed when new rules will be introduced for car driving test bookings, which it said would make the system fairer and give learners control of their booking. From May 12, 2026, only learner drivers will be able to book or change a car driving test, while from June 9, 2026, location limitations will apply when moving a booked test.

This follows DVSA’s announcement that from March 31, 2026, the number of changes a learner driver is allowed to make to a car driving test booking will be cut to two, reduced from six. The upcoming changes, which follow a nationwide consultation on improving the booking rules, are part of a crackdown on third-party services abusing the test booking system.

They aim to reduce the reselling of driving tests and will create a level playing field for learner drivers, giving them more control over their learning to drive journey.

Roads and Buses Minister, Simon Lightwood, said: “Learning to drive is hard enough without an unfair booking system. Learners deserve clear, honest access to tests – not being ripped off by third-party sites.

“These changes put learners back in control, stop the system being gamed, and help make sure tests go to those who really need them. I welcome DVSA’s action to make things fairer and support learners on their journey to becoming safe, confident drivers.”

Beverley Warmington, DVSA’s new chief executive, said: “We have listened to learners, driving instructors and voices from across the driver training industry on how to make the booking rules fairer. Our priority is to stop learners being exploited by third parties and put them in control of booking their driving test. The changes announced today will help us achieve that goal and build on the more than 149,000 additional tests delivered between April 2025 and February 2026.”

Driving test booking changes from May 2026

From May 12, 2026, third parties will not be able to book or change practical car driving tests for learner drivers. This includes unofficial test booking and cancellation finder services and driving instructors.

Learners who can’t book a test on GOV.UK and need additional support will still be able to book a test by calling DVSA’s customer service centre. DVSA said it would also introduce terms and conditions for public bookings and introduce a declaration that all car learner drivers must accept before they can complete or change their test booking.

This aims to allow DVSA to take action against those who knowingly break the rules, including where third parties book a driving test on behalf of a learner. Additionally, from June 9, 2026, learners will be able to move their driving test only to the three nearest driving test centres.

It said that introducing a location restriction “will help deter bookings at locations where the learner doesn’t intend to take their test. This will give a clearer view on which areas have the highest demand, allowing DVSA to better manage and focus driving examiner resources”.

It added: “Introducing these changes will disrupt cancellation finding services and make it fairer for learner drivers when searching for and booking their test. When the new rules come in, learners should only ever pay the actual fee DVSA charges – £62 on weekdays and £75 on evenings, weekends and bank holidays – giving them greater control and confidence when booking a driving test.”

Driving instructors and driving schools will still be able to work with their learner drivers to agree when they are test-ready and offer advice and support throughout their learning and booking journey, including via the DVSA Ready to Pass? campaign. They will also be able to set times they’re available to take pupils to their test, preventing learners from booking tests at times that don’t work for their instructors.

Why the driving test changes are being made

The changes follow a consultation on improving driving test booking rules, which ran from May 28 to July 23, 2025 and received more than 100,000 responses. DVSA said that 70.7 per cent of respondents to the consultation agreed or strongly agreed with the idea of limiting bookings to learner drivers only. It added that 42.5 per cent agreed or strongly agreed to restricting the number of swaps or changes an individual could make to their test.

The consultation looked at the ways DVSA could improve the rules for booking driving tests. Of the 93,421 responses we analysed, 72 per cent of respondents were learner drivers. 7.7 per cent of respondents were parents or guardians who booked a test for a learner and 9.9 per cent of respondents were an ADI or trainee driving instructor.

Respondents were asked for their views on two main areas where DVSA could change the driving test booking system. These involved who could book and manage driving tests and how driving test changes could be managed.

The full outcome to the consultation on improving car driving test booking rules can be found here: Improving car driving test booking rules: response to consultation – GOV.UK

Further guidance on changes to the driving test booking rules can be found here: Changes to driving test booking rules in 2026 – GOV.UK